Lucifers Hero

TBH I think that was Howe's way of saving face based on the 'promise' Buckley made to him in Bali. In reality, Howe asked for mega dollars which the club baulked at https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-demons/jeremy-howe-says-he-wants-to-sign-new-contract-to-stay-at-melbourne/news-story/cd5153cee6910364b6c66a49bfabfbf1 He and his manager then played ducks and drakes with the club. They turn down club offer. Club draws a line in the sand and decides to move him on. Howe has few options and is off to GCS (see my edit in above post). Pies throw him a lifeline and he goes there for less money. https://www.sen.com.au/news/2016/06/25/jeremy-howe-confirms-hes-at-pies-for-less/ Anyway, he didn't help them much yesterday and we are better off without him.

Howe was not a free agent. The club wanted to trade him out. He was headed to GCS in a deal that would give us the pick to get Oliver. At the time their were no other takers for him. Howe put a spanner in the works late in the piece when he met Buckley in Bali. He was traded to Pies in a multi club deal. Fortunately we were able to package up other picks to trade with GCS to still get the pick needed for Oliver. But lets be clear the club wanted to trade Howe out. He end up at Collingwood. May they both be happy ever after! Edit: MFC position on Howe to GCS https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-trade-period-2015-jeremy-howe-accepts-offer-to-join-collingwood-20151015-gk9zoo.html

Great get guys - Can't wait for this!

Once it was decided to play Tom Mc forward Lewis' job during the preseason was to tutor Lever. Early this year Lewis said "One of the gaps was a little bit of leadership down back...That's not to say that I'll play there next year but certainly throughout the pre-season, I think I'll train the majority of the time in the backline." Once the season started, Lever was marshalling the backs under Lewis' wise eye - watching but not interfering (and I'm guessing there was a bit of post game debriefing). Now that Lever is out the marshalling role has reverted to Lewis and he did a fine job of it yesterday. Very obvious at the ground not sure if so obvious on tv. Yes, Lewis' weaknesses will be exposed but every player has some and every opp coach will work to exploit them. Lewis has more positives than negatives so for me he stays until Lever returns. @DeeSpenceryou are a fine reporter of training sessions and they are much appreciated. From what you've seen if Lewis is dropped who takes over the marshalling role?

Totally agree about managing the game tempo. The problem yesterday was the first quarter when 80% of the game was played in their forward half. They kicked 5.5 to our 2.0. That is 8 center clearance opportunities and 5 kick in opportunities and we till couldn't get it into our fwd 50. So our opportunities to frustrate them early on were virtually zip. We just couldn't get our hands on the ball and if we did our disposal was straight back to them or a 50/50 ball which they won. We were never really in a position to manage the tempo in the first quarter and we never recovered. We then had to play catch up and never got within 3 goals.

I think the view is different at the ground than on tv. What I saw at the ground: We were absolutely smashed in the first quarter - the ball was in our forward 50 for about 5 minutes. They kicked a lot of points and we could not get it out past the centre. That was all lack of work rate. There were numerous times when some of our players were free for the switch that never came so when the kicks went down the line we were always outnumbered. The down the line kick out of defence was too predictable - nearly always on the members side - just like the Richmond game. They won the 50/50 ball nearly all day. Lewis did a fine job of marshalling the backline so in that respect we didn't miss Lever so much. Some players were downright lazy. More than half our team failed to have any impact at all for the whole game. Some may have good stats but they were of little value. There was very little movement to give the ball carrier options. Our defence pushed up the ground too high again - just like the games we lost early in the season. Their forward half was a paddock that they found easy to find space in. The coaching may not have been up to scratch but that isn't the reason we lost by 7 goals. That is a big margin and I think the players are the ones primarily responsible for it being so high.

The good ole 'Peter Principle', maybe?

Good question. But I don't think the Pies are that 'good' team. The teams they have won and lost to are very similar to ours but we have had better wins and not so bad losses. If they are 'good' we are 'better'. Nonetheless, I share your trepidation - they will bring their best game and be really fired up to continue their rnd 23 effort. But I think we will win if for no other reason that we now play 120 minutes and they don't. And we have by far the better midfield! Go Dees!

Jennings was talked up a few weeks ago as the perfect 2.I.C. to Worsfold. He worked at Ess from 2005 to 2014 under Sheedy, Knights, Hird and alongside Goodwin, McCartney and 'Bomber'. In 2015 he went to the Bulldogs to work with Macca who was ousted at the same time. At the end of 2016 he left the Bulldogs for the Demons to join up again with ex Ess colleagues, Macca and Goodwin and to work with Roos. That is three premiership coaches he has worked with (four if we count playing in North Melb U-19 Premiership team, coached by Dennis Pagan). Goodwin handed him the coaching reins for the preseason games and he won them all. And if he helps us get to a flag his CV will be the best in the business. Once he does the AFL Coach accreditation course he will be more than ready to coach in his own right. In the meantime plenty of clubs will chase him. It seems to me that he moves clubs for the right reasons. I would be surprised if he left us to go and understudy another coach while we are in a premiership window.

3rd round, currently about pick 42, probably closer to #50 by the time the Academy, F/S and FA comp picks play out.

I was able to read it by tapping on the image in Demonland's post, on my phone. For some reason that seems to get around the paywall. But it doesn't work from my laptop. The general gist of the article was that last summer some players, some ex board members and guests went for a golf game (hosted by the club) to the Mornington Peninsula. Trengove, Watts and Gawn went to the Sorrento Hotel and (unintentionally, ho, ho) had quite a few drinks. When they went back to their accommodation in the wee hours of the morning, they found Don Mclardy and Neale Daniher sitting around a campfire, blaring out music not caring about the noise nor who they disturbed. The three players joined them and Watts told stories and they all selected music. There they stayed most of the night. Max says the only song he remembers is the one Daniher chose: Happy. Max thinks of Neale Daniher as a very special man. I'm sure there would be a ringing endorsement of Neale being a special man. FYI: It is against Demonland rules to paste entire articles onto this site.

As Tex was playing injured it is understandable he didn't get much of the footy nor hit the scoreboard. However, it is no reason to not play like a captain. He did very little to inspire or direct his team and he spat the dummy like a child a few times. Poor behaviour and set a poor example. Crows may have a lot of injuries but they should be embarrassed about that game and loosing to a heap of kids. Freo thoroughly deserved their win. Poor disposal skills but their kids played a terrific game - full of dare.

Great story telling by Max. Its good to hear some of the fun times away from the Club. And, pleased that Mclardy gets a gig at our informal 'events'. "Happy" by Pharrell Williams Easy to see why Neale would choose that song. How Happy would he be for us to win the silverware? I feel kind of desperate to win it very very soon to share it with some really special Demon people, while they are still with us: Neale Daniher, Ronald Dale Barassi and the remaining 1964 Premiership Team. But tomorrow, hope the team heed Neale's words: "Don't give up, don't give in, give it all you've got".

When he was drafted Taylor seemed a bit surprised Petty had fallen through to pick 37 and said something like "we have a fair bit of talent in our defence but he is so good we just had to take him".? Clearly our recruiters were impressed with him and I bet everyone is now very pleased that we took him! Given the training and Casey reports he has done everything asked of him. He isn't Jake Lever but he can certainly come in and play a role. He won't be gifted games (no one does anymore, thank goodness) so when he comes in he will be deemed to be ready. Edit: Just saw this in a Team Selection article: Petty modelled his game on Lever before the Demons plucked him with Pick 37 last November". What a game to debut in, if selected this week!

Not related directly to the match preview - club website says: Advice for train travellers: Buses will replace trains between Flinders Street and Westall stations on the Cranbourne and Pakenham line. Buses will replace trains between Flinders Street and Moorabbin stations on the Frankston line. The Metro Trains website says the buses could add up to 75 minutes to travel time. http://www.metrotrains.com.au/planned-work/buses-pakenham-and-cranbourne-29-may-to-17-june/ If on those lines, look for options or leave early.

Good theory - Interesting that the WCE and NM blue is a mid range blue, like the WB who have done very well from the umpires in recent years. The darker blues, Carlton, Demons, Geelong haven't done so well (except the midfield at Geelong). Maybe we should wear our 'disco' blue jumper more often - it is a similar shade as the three favoured teams.

Last week WCE had 25 frees to Saints 12. On AFL 360 Richardson said the 'noise of affirmation' not only encouraged umpires to pay frees to WCE but the opposite also happened ie when an opp player eg StK should receive a free there is no noise at all so umpires son't call it. He said when the umpire's department comment during the week it is about the legitimacy of frees paid but apparently the 'non-calls' are not reviewed. It is this aspect of umpiring that has really deteriorated in recent years. I mean the bulldogs won a flag on the basis of being allowed to throw and not pinned for HTB in the prelim vs GWS and the GF vs Syd. Both the AFL and Bevo admitted such after the GF.

The AFL has lost the hearing to just have failed in their attempt to just have a 'preliminary hearing' (mini trial). It means that McLachlan and Fitzpatrick end up facing trial and could end up giving evidence in court. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/court-ruling-on-essendon-drugs-saga-edges-afl-boss-nearer-to-trial-20180606-p4zjr8.html They may finally learn that the AFL is not a law unto itself. But the cynic in me thinks they will wheel and deal their way out of it.

Have just updated the 2018 Contracts Thread for Tom McDonald re-signing. Here is the link

Updated for Tom McDonald contract till 2022! Re Tom McD. Lewis said last night he would have been silly to leave. That goes for all our players. Unfortunately, we will have to push some out.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/demons-open-talks-with-free-agent-jetta-20180605-p4zjm4.html His agent Ray Purcell of OMP Sports Management would not be drawn on the terms of a proposed deal, but confirmed talks had started. “We’ve commenced discussions. Melbourne are respectful of Neville and what we’ve put forward, and we’re working with them,” Purcell told Fairfax Media on Tuesday. Just a matter of time I suspect!

Foxfooty have updated their Squad of 40 somewhat, after Paul Roos rated Shaun Higgins in the top 10 players in the league. They added 12 players as 'Unlucky' to be omitted including three very worth Dees: Neville Jetta: Find a Demons supporter who doesn’t rate Neville Jetta. The small defender goes about his business every week and is one of the club’s walk up starters, such is his consistency and preparation. Rarely has his colours lowered. Tom McDonald: The reinvented forward is exceptionally stiff to miss out, with an interrupted start to the season to blame. McDonald has kicked 19 goals in six matches and has provided a perfect second foil for teammate Jesse Hogan. Jake Melksham: Ranked second in score assists and seventh in score involvements, Melksham has rebranded himself into one of the most reliable forwards in the AFL. The former Bomber kicked five goals from 21 touches against Carlton, which AFL player ratings labelled as the best individual game of the season. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/north-melbourne-superstar-shaun-higgins-leads-fox-footys-midyear-allaustralian-snubs/news-story/9f11fbb27c398e87b7aebe5ba5dbf94f That would give us 6 of their 52.

From the article in the op I noticed this: "Agreements have been made, it's going to alternate," the Pies president told AFL.com.au. Then, "McGuire said he had spoken to former Melbourne board member, and a driving force behind 'Fight MND', Bill Guest about the prospects of next year's fifth event being a Collingwood home game". Obviously the agreements haven't been made with Jackson/MFC so is it Bill Guest Eddie reached agreement with? Guest is Chairman of 'Freeze MND' but its decades since he was an MFC Board member. Eddies is super sharp and knows full well the fixture and financial results for them if this game alternates. But Eddie always has an angle... It sounds to me that Eddie wants a piece of the MND action. Good for their image and their 'Brand'. He can then take centre stage.

Fair comments. My objection is if the AFL override's MFC's first choice, which was the tone of the FC discussion last night.

On Footy Classified last night Caroline Wilson gave an update. She said the club is plugging for Josh Mahoney as CEO but because of our 'financial position' the AFL wants to call the shots. I reckon that is AFL speak to keep us on their leash. We may not like what she writes at times but she gets excellent inside info from the AFL. She played a weekend interview with Goodwin and he sounded strongly behind Mahoney and talked about our succession planning. I think she said we have engaged a 'head hunting' firm - not sure if that was to help get Mahoney over the line or to be able to demonstrate due process and good governance have been followed. At the end of the day, I would like us to control our own destiny and strongly feel our Board should be allowed to choose the best person for the job. I strongly support the idea of succession planning and promotion from within. I will be filthy if we end up with an AFL's 'job for the boys' appointment.